Can I Tow My Geo Pro 15TB Travel Trailer With My 2018 Volvo XC60

Updated 11/08/2021 | Published 11/04/2021

Question:

Do I need a weight distribution hitch? Are they only available for Class III hitch receivers?

asked by: Warren

Helpful Expert Reply:

I can get you setup to tow your travel trailer with your 2018 Volvo XC60. The answer to your first question is no, you cannot use a hitch receiver adapter to tow. I did check your owner's manual and your vehicle is rated to tow up to 3,500 lbs with a brake controller. (3,280 lbs if you will be towing 1,000m or higher, above sea level.) As a result, you should not have any problems towing the Geo Pro 15TB travel trailer.

In order to tow your travel trailer you will need a hitch and a ball mount. You would use something like the Draw-Tite Drawbar for 1-1/4" Hitch - 2-1/8" Rise, 2-3/4" Drop - 6-5/8" Long - 2K, part # 3593. I am just using this as an example of a drawbar that you would need for your vehicle. The last part you will need for the basic setup is the ball mount. The 2" Hitch Ball - 3/4" Diameter x 1-9/16" Long Shank - Chrome - 3,500 lbs, part # 19258, is a 2" ball mount that will work with the drawbar I included above.

I have included product description links, an information link about determining your trailer hitch drop for your travel trailer, and two video links below.

expert reply by: Mark Smith

Warren

11/4/2021

Thank you Mark, this is helpful. If I want to use a weight distribution hitch with this trailer the receiver has to be 2" (Class III or higher) right? I believe a weight distribution hitch is a very important safety feature.

Les D.

11/8/2021

@Warren You said the dry weight was 2600 pounds. By the time you add your stuff and fill the propane bottles, you will likely be at 3000 pounds. I'm betting that the trailer has brakes installed on it and you should use them. Since your trailer has a class 2 hitch installed I bet there is a flat 4-way connection for trailer lighting. I would update that to a 7-way connector using part number # ETBC7. At this point you can hitch up your trailer with working brakes and drive it around. You might be ok without weight distribution and sway control, but you will find out. If you decide to upgrade further, let me know. Let me know what kind of connectors you have on your car and trailer, and if the trailer has brakes.

Warren

11/8/2021

@LesD Thanks Les. The WDH with sway control is a very important, and standard, safety feature. I will change the tow vehicle if it's necessary to get a 2" hitch receiver. Thank you.

Warren D.

11/4/2021

Do I need a weight distribution hitch? Are they only available for Class III hitch receivers?

Mark S.

11/4/2021

Depending on the trim level of your 2018 Volvo XC60, you might already have a version of Volvo's Trailer Stability Assist. It is designed to help stabilize a vehicle that is towing a trailer. You are correct, weight distribution hitches are not available for 1-1/4" hitch receivers. You have to have a Class III or higher hitch receiver. As a rule, you should calculate 10% - 15% of your vehicle's weight along with any weight behind your tow vehicle's rear axle as the tongue weight. You should not exceed that weight amount on your tongue. Moving the weight in your travel trailer closer to the tongue, provided it does not cause much sag, will help to limit sway.